[0001] This invention relates to a vibration control device of an active type for reducing
the response from a structure due to earthquake, wind or the like by applying a control
force on the vibration control device.
[0002] A dynamic damper (designated as a DD thereafter) is available as a vibration control
device of a passive type and there are some descriptions of an application thereof
to structures, e.g., Japanese Pat. Laid-open No. 63-76932 and Japanese Pat. Publication
No. 3-38686.
[0003] Fig. 12 shows a vibration model of a DD to be applied to a structure, wherein m₁
is a mass of a main body of the structure constituting a main vibration system and
m
d is a mass of an additional mass body constituting a damping system. Also, k₁ is a
spring constant of the main body of the structure. The main body of the structure
having a mass m₁ and the additional mass body having a mass m
d are mutually connected through both a spring having a spring constant k
d and a damper having a damping coefficient c
d. Further, x₁ represents a displacement of the structure and x
d represents a displacement of a weight.
[0004] A natural angular frequency of the main vibration system is given by:

[0005] In the DD, a mass m
d of the damping system is designed so that the ratio of the mass m
d to the mass m₁ of the main vibration system may be set to approximately become:

[0006] At this time, the natural angular frequency of the damping system is given by:

[0007] A damping coefficient c
d and a damping factor h
d are represented by the following equations, respectively:


[0008] There are some descriptions [designated as an AMD (i.e., the abbreviation of Active
Mass Driver)] as an active type vibration control device, e.g., US. Pat. No. 5,022,201
(Japanese Pat. Laid-open Nos.1-275866, 1275867, 1-275868 and 1-275869).
[0009] Fig. 13 shows a vibration model of an AMD, which applies a control force u(t) due
to the hydraulic power or electromagnetic force of an actuator between the main body
of the structure having a mass m₁ and the additional mass body having a mass m
d to actively control the vibration of the structure.
[0010] In the AMD, usually assuming that a spring between the main body of the structure
and the additional mass body constituting a vibration control device is set under
a soft condition, i.e., ω
d ≦ (1/2) ω₁ the control force u(t) is given by the following equation:

wherein G₁ is a gain in a circuit including an AGC circuit or the like against the
response speed of the structure and attains the correspondences of large inputs through
small inputs (wherein G₂ becomes a negative value). The second term in the above equation
gives a damping property to the side of the additional mass body as well and attains
a stability thereof by adding the product of a gain G₂ and a vibration speed on the
side of the additional mass body to the control force.
[0011] There are some studies which try to add a spring having its spring constant k
d to the AMD described above in parallel with the control force due to the actuator
as shown in the vibration model of Fig. 14 and to obtain a vibration control effect
to a certain degree with the control force of the AMD by means of less control force
in comparison with that of the AMD [designated as an ATMD (i.e., the abbreviation
of Active Tuned Mass Damper) hereafter].
[0012] In an ATMD, a spring constant k
d is set so that the vibration of an additional mass body may synchronize with that
of a structure, that is,

and the control force u(t) is, for example, given by the following equation,

wherein G₃ is a gain having a negative sign and cancels a part of the inertial force
applying on the additional mass body at a vibration time due to the third term in
the above equation, so that the additional mass body may be vibrated by a lower control
force.
[0013] Furthermore, Japanese Pat. Publication No. 3-70075 discloses a vibration control
device of an active type having a pattern for controlling the structural vibration
due to earthquake or the like by connecting a second additional mass body having a
mass less than the additional mass body of the DD to the additional mass body of the
DD through a spring and an actuator,and by applying a control force on the second
additional mass body from the actuator.
[0014] With reference to the control direction of each vibration control device described
above, two kinds of following patterns can usually be considered depending on a supporting
method for an additional mass body to a structure or how to give a spring:-
(a) A case where only one vibration control device controls in all directions
[0015] For example, an additional mass body is vibrated in all the directions within a horizontal
plane and it is possible to control in all directions by one vibration control device
in case the additional mass body is supported by a laminated rubber support or a ball
bearing or hung and supported by a hanger material by use of a universal joint or
the like.
(b) A case where one vibration control device controls only in one direction
[0016] For example, in case of connecting an additional mass body to a structure with a
coil spring in a horizontal direction while supporting the additional mass body with
a linear guide (straight rail or linear guide shaft or the like) or sliding the additional
mass body along a circular track or in case of hanging and supporting the additional
mass body with a hanger material, the vibration direction of the additional mass body
is one-directional in a pattern how the vibration direction is restricted and only
one directional control is possible.
[0017] For the purpose of obtaining a sufficient vibration control effect in the vibration
control of structures, however, the additional mass body becomes large in weight and
the influences given on the resulting design load and floor planning of the structure
become large as well.
[0018] With reference to this problem, since one vibration control device can control in
all directions (as a matter of course, a plurality of vibration control devices can
also be used) in case of (a), there is an advantage in that there is no waste with
respect to the mass of the additional mass body. On the contrary, there is a problem
in that a mechanism for providing a control force and the control for the mechanism
become complicated in case of applying an AMD or ATMD.
[0019] On the other hand, in case of (b), if it is desired to control in two directions
within the horizontal plane of a structure (here, it is possible to control in all
directions with respect to a horizontal displacement by the combination of two-directional
controls), each vibration control device must be mounted separately in two directions,
the additional mass body of the vibration control device in each separate direction
does not function for the vibration control in a specific direction, and the space
occupied by the vibration control device also becomes large while the weight of total
additional mass bodies to the weight of the structure becomes larger by this part.
[0020] It would be desirable to solve the problems as described above in the vibration control
devices of the prior art. It would also be desirable to be able to provide a vibration
control device which can be operated by a small supply energy and a small control
force, can effectively control the vibration of a structure against earthquake, and
which has a simple control mechanism and limits the weight of an additional mass body
and the installation space required.
[0021] Assuming an additional mass body in the basic constitution of a DD as a first additional
mass body, a vibration control device of the present invention corresponds to what
is added with a plurality of second additional mass bodies constituting AMD or ATMD
to one first additional mass body. A vibration control device for a structure comprises
a first additional mass body having a predetermined mass and movable relative to the
structure; support means intervened between the structure and the first additional
mass body so as to provide a period synchronizing with the natural period of the structure
to the first additional mass body; a second additional mass body having a predetermined
mass and movable relative to the first additional mass body; and drive means for applying
a control force between the first and second additional mass bodies, wherein a plurality
of second additional mass bodies movable relatively in a predetermined direction are
provided to one first additional mass body in two or more directions.
[0022] In the vibration control device of the present invention, a vibration control effect
can be obtained in all directions within a horizontal plane by use of one first additional
mass body (the first additional mass body of each device in case a plurality of vibration
control devices are provided) by making the first additional mass body, which is not
directly connected to the drive means, vibratile (displaceable) in all directions
within a horizontal plane.
[0023] As support means for making the first additional mass body vibratile in all directions
within a horizontal plane, there may be means for suspending the first additional
mass body by a hanger device using a universal joint or the like, some support means
such as a laminated rubber support and a ball bearing support arranged to be spread
on the roof or floor or the like of a structure, or linear guide supports combined
in two directions (so that two-directional linear guides may be movable relative to
each other).
[0024] With reference to the laminated rubber support as the support means, the laminated
rubber support:.may.be: empty in its axial portion for the decrease in horizontal
stiffness and for a longer period thereof, and a high damping rubber expected to have
a large damping property in the rubber itself can also be utilized. A coil spring
for connecting the structure to the first additional mass body in a horizontal direction
is used in common for both together with the laminated rubber support. In case of
the ball bearing support or the linear guide support, support means can also be constituted
by combining the laminated rubber with the spring coil as a connection spring for
securing a neutral position and for adjusting a spring constant thereof.
[0025] With reference to the second additional mass body for directly receiving a control
force from the drive means, both a mechanism for the drive means and a control method
are simplified by restricting a vibrational direction thereof to one direction, allowing
to control efficiently and with high precision to the response or the like of the
structure due to earthquake or the like. By providing such a plurality of second additional
mass bodies in two directions (even three directions are possible) to one first additional
mass body, ultimately two-directional control forces are indirectly given to the first
additional mass body and the response of the structure can be controlled in all directions
within a horizontal plane.
[0026] With reference to support means for making the second additional mass body vibratile
in a specific direction within a horizontal plane, there may be means for suspending
the second additional mass body so that the direction of vibration is restricted by
a hanger device, for connecting the first additional mass body to the second additional
mass body with a coil spring or the like while supporting the first and second additional
mass bodies with a linear guide support, and for defining an arcuate track which is
convex downwards on the upper surface or the like of the first additional mass body
and allows the second additional mass body to vibrate on the circular track by potential
energy and an inertial force.
[0027] With reference to drive means for applying a control force on the second additional
mass body, for example, there are a drive device utilizing an electric motor, a hydraulic
type drive device, and a linear motor or the like, which are controlled by the response
of the structure due to the external force of the vibration by earthquake or wind
or the like or on the basis of earthquake response analysis.
[0028] Adapting the constitution described above, the present invention has also some advantages
in the following.
(a) By providing a plurality of second additional mass bodies in two directions to
one first additional mass body, ultimately two-directional control forces are indirectly
given to the first additional mass body, allowing the response of the structure to
be controlled in all directions within a horizontal plane. Further, since the weight
of the second additional mass body is very small in comparison with the weight of
the first additional mass body, there are almost no influence on the increase in weight
as a whole vibration control device, even though a plurality of second additional
mass bodies may be provided.
(b) A large vibration control effect can be given by the drive having an extremely
small mass body by adding the constitution of the AMD or ATMD having a driver to the
DD, while assuming the DD as a basic construction.
(c) Since the weight of the second additional mass body to be driven is extremely
small in comparison with the weight of the structure, the influences on the main body
of the structure are extremely small, even though the driving portion may run away.
[0029] The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent
from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view showing the outline of a vibration control device
as a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a vibration control device as another preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a front view of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a combination pattern between support means and
second support means in a vibration control device of the present invention as an
embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a combination pattern between support means and
second support means as another embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing a combination pattern between support means and
second support means as a further embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a combination pattern between support means second
support means as a still further embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a schematic view shown a combination pattern between support means and second
support means as a yet further embodiment;
Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing a combination pattern between support means and
second support means as a yet further embodiment;
Fig. 11 is a vibration model diagram showing a vibration control device of the present
invention with respect to only one direction;
Fig. 12 is a vibration model diagram showing a DD of the prior art;
Fig. 13 is a vibration model diagram showing an AMD of the prior art; and
Fig. 14 is a vibration model diagram showing an ATMD of the prior art.
[0030] Figs. 1 and 2 show the outline of a vibration control device as a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0031] In this preferred embodiment, a first additional mass body 1 constituting a vibration
control device forms a chamber, and four second additional mass bodies 2a, 2b, 2c,
and 2d are incorporated into the interior of the first additional mass body 1, respectively.
[0032] The first additional mass body 1 is supported by a plurality of laminated rubber
supports 3 as support means and can be vibrated in all directions within a horizontal
plane thereof. Each laminated rubber support 3 is designed to the first additional
mass body 1 so as to give a spring constant corresponding to the natural period of
a structure. However, in case the natural period of the structure is largely different
depending on a direction thereof (e.g., x-axial and y-axial directions illustrated
in the Fig. 1 ), it is also possible to correspond the natural period of the structure
to the spring constant by devising the sectional shape of each laminated rubber support
3 and a support method for the laminated rubber support. As a laminated rubber for
each laminated rubber support 3, a high damping laminated rubber can also be used
in common for a damper giving a predetermined damping coefficient to the laminated
rubber support 3. However, an oil damper, a viscous damper, an elastoplastic damper
or another appropriate damper may also be intervened between the structure and the
first additional mass body 1, separately from each laminated rubber support 3.
[0033] As drive means, an AC servo motor 4 and a shaft 5 having a male screw constituting
a ball screw are both provided to,each of the second additional mass bodies 2a, 2b,
2c,and 2d, which are driven by the rotation of the shaft 5 in the axial direction
of the shaft 5. That is to say, the movement direction of each of the second additional
mass bodies 2a, 2b, 2c,and 2d is restricted in the axial direction of the shaft 5,
and two of the second additional mass bodies 2a and 2c are vibrated in the x-axial
direction illustrated in the drawing, while the other two of the second additional
mass bodies 2b and 2d are vibrated in the y-axial direction illustrated in the drawing.
[0034] In the present preferred embodiment, a control device 6 for controlling the drive
of the second additional mass bodies 2a, 2b, 2c,and 2d, i.e., for controlling the
control forces applied on these second additional mass bodies, is also accommodated
in the interior of the first additional mass body 1, and further, an inspection port
7 is provided to secure a space in the interior for performing maintenance.
[0035] There are also some cases where a spring (not illustrated in the present preferred
embodiment) such as a coil spring is provided in parallel with the shaft 5 so as to
keep a neutral position to the second additional mass bodies 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as
well or to obtain a predetermined vibration control effect by a small control force
in similar to the case of the ATMD.
[0036] In the drawing, 8a indicates a sensor (vibrograph) for detecting any vibrations (seismic
motion or the like) of the structure on the ground, 8b indicates a sensor for detecting
the response of the structure at the position where a vibration control device is
installed, and 8c indicates a sensor for detecting the vibration of the first additional
mass body, respectively. Furthermore, each of the second additional mass bodies 2a,
2b, 2c,and 2d is installed with a sensor for detecting each vibration and can be controlled
by the feed back of each detected value.
[0037] Figs. 3 and 4 show a vibration control device as another preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0038] In the present preferred embodiment, a first additional mass body 11 with a channel
shape in cross section made of a steel material or the like is supported by four laminated
rubber supports 13, and the bottom center of the first additional mass body 11 is
connected to each laminated rubber support 13 through a horizontally arranged damper
16 of a cylinder type, so that a predetermined damping property may be added.
[0039] In the present preferred embodiment, taking advantage of the channel shape in cross
section of the first additional mass body 11, an x-directional second additional mass
body 12a and a y-directional second additional mass body 12b are provided in a vertical
direction not so as to interfere with each other.
[0040] Next will be explained the drive of the x-directional second additional mass body
12a. The second additional mass body 12a is slidable along two pieces of x-directional
rails 18a mounted on a frame 17a, bridged over the upper portion of the first additional
mass body 11, so that the second additional mass body is vibrated on the x-directional
rails 18a by rotating a shaft 15 constituting a ball screw due to the control of an
AC servo motor 14.
[0041] In the drawing, 19 indicates a horizontal coil spring provided in parallel with the
shaft 15 to give a predetermined spring constant to the second additional mass body
12a. Simply for keeping the neutral position of the second additional mass body 12a,
the spring constant usually provides a long period in comparison with the natural
period of the structure. However, the spring constant is synchronized with the period
of the first additional mass body 11 in case of applying an ATMD-like control.
[0042] Even with reference to the drive of the y-directional second additional mass body
12b, the basic constitution is same with the corresponding x-directional basic constitution,
and the y-directional second additional mass body 12b slides on the y-directional
rails 18b while being accommodated in the channel of the first additional mass body
11 through the frame 17b.
[0043] Figs. 5 through 10 show combination patterns between support means for allowing a
first additional mass body 31 to vibrate in all directions within a horizontal plane
and second support means for allowing a second additional mass body 32 to vibrate
in a specific direction within a horizontal plane, respectively. For the simplification
of explanation, the second additional mass body 32 is shown only in one direction.
However, there are other combination patterns in two or more directions practically.
[0044] In an embodiment of Fig. 5, the first and second additional mass bodies 31 and 32
are hung and supported by hanger materials 35 and 36 to support frames 33 and 34,
respectively, to bring into a form of giving a control force to the second additional
mass body 32 by means of an actuator 37. The hanger support of the first additional
mass body 31 is allowed to vibrate in all directions by, for example, providing a
universal joint. The second additional mass body 32 may be vibrated only in one direction.
However, the direction of vibration can also be restricted by the actuating direction
of the actuator 37.
[0045] In an embodiment of Fig. 6, the hanger support of the first additional mass body
31 is similar to that in case of Fig. 4, and the second additional mass body 32 is
arranged so as to slide on the first additional mass body 31 through a roller 38 or
the like. The sliding direction thereof can be restricted by the rotational direction
of the roller 38, the direction of a coil spring 39 to be connected to the second
additional mass body 32,and the direction of the actuator 37, and it may also be good
to use the pattern for the second additional mass body 32 to slide along the rail.
[0046] Even in an embodiment of Fig. 7, the hanger support of the first additional mass
body 31 is similar to that in case of Fig. 4. An arcuate track 40 having a circular
shape within a vertical plane on the upper surface of the first additional mass body
31 is formed so that the second additional mass body 32 may be vibrated within the
circular track 40. As drive means for the second additional mass body 32, a linear
motor or the like may be appropriate, .but is not particularly restricted. The circular
shape of the track 40 depends on a control method, and there are one case of giving
a period longer than the natural period of the structure (i.e., the case of increasing
the radius of curvature) and the other case of giving a period synchronizing with
the natural period of the structure. In order to prevent the mutual interference of
the two-directional second additional mass bodies 32, the arrangement thereof may
be planely deviated from each other (refer to the preferred embodiment in Figs. 1
and 2) or the tracks may be provided as a two-level crossing in a vertical direction
(refer to the preferred embodiment in Figs. 3 and 4).
[0047] In an embodiment of Fig. 8, the first additional mass body 31 constituting a chamber
is supported by laminated rubber supports 41, and the second additional mass body
32 is hung and supported by the hanger material 36 within the first additional mass
body 31.
[0048] In an embodiment of Fig. 9, the first additional mass body 31 constituting a chamber
is supported by the laminated rubber supports 41 in a similar manner so that the second
additional mass body 32 may slide within the first additional mass body 31. The second
additional mass body 32 is connected to the first additional mass body 31 through
the coil spring 39 and the actuator 37.
[0049] In an embodiment of Fig. 10, the circular track 40, on which the second additional
mass body travels, is formed on the upper surface of the first additional mass body
31 supported by the laminated rubber supports 41. The first additional mass body 31
may also constitute a chamber as shown in the embodiment of Figs. 8 and 9.
[0050] Fig. 11 illustrates a vibration control device of the present invention with respect
to only one direction (x-axial direction) as a vibration model, and in case of assuming
the additional mass body of the DD described in the section of the prior art as a
first additional mass body, it corresponds to what combines the first additional mass
body with the second additional mass body constituting the AMD or ATMD.
[0051] In Fig. 11, m₁ indicates a mass of a structure constituting a main vibration system,
m
a indicates a mass of a first additional mass body, and m
bx indicates a mass of a second additional mass body functionating in the x-axial direction,
respectively. Further, k
1x indicates a spring constant in the x-axial direction of the main body of the structure,
k
ax indicates a spring constant of support means in the x-axial direction, c
ax indicates a damping coefficient of the support means in the x-axial direction, k
bx indicates a spring constant between the first additional mass body and the second
additional mass body functioning in the x-axial direction, and u(t)
x indicates a control force in the x-axial direction, respectively. Furthermore, x₁
indicates a displacement of the structure, x
a indicates a displacement of the first additional mass body and x
b indicates a displacement of the second additional mass body, respectively. In addition,
a vibration control device of the present invention includes a second additional mass
body having a mass m
by functioning in the y-axial direction (normally a direction perpendicular to the x-axial
direction, but selectable according to the sectional shape of the structure), so that
it may be possible to control in all directions within a horizontal plane by controlling
in the x-axial and y-axial directions, respectively.
[0052] Next will be explained one embodiment of the control method in the following. Since
it is possible to control in all directions within a horizontal plane by controlling
in the x-axial and y-axial directions respectively as described above, the explanation
of an embodiment only in the x-axial direction will be given in the following.
[0053] The mass of the first additional mass body is assumed as approximately 1/50 through
1/1000 of the mass of the structure, e.g., in accordance with the scale of the structure,
vibration characteristics, and control means. The mass of the second additional mass
body is also assumed as approximately 1/10 through 1/100 of the mass of the first
additional mass body, e.g.
[0054] By use of the parameters shown in Fig. 10, the angular frequencies ω
lx, ω
ax, and ω
bx of a main vibration system and the first and second additional mass bodies are represented
by the following:



[0055] By synchronizing the angular frequencies with one another, the following relation
can be established:

[0056] There are, however, some cases of applying a conventional AMD-like control by setting
ω
bx as a sufficiently small value in comparison with those of ω1
x and ω
ax without synchronizing with one another.
[0057] Furthermore, the relationship among the mass of the structure, the mass of the first
additional mass body and the mass of the second additional mass body as described
above can be represented by:


[0058] A control force for controlling the movement of a driver as the second additional
mass body is defined by the following equation, e.g.,

wherein each of G₁, G₂, G₃, and G₄ is a gain in each term of the above equation (
1 ), respectively.
[0059] Energy is mainly consumed by a damper function (damping coefficient c
ax) relative to the first additional mass body.
[0060] Since the angular frequency ω
ax of the first additional mass body is synchronized with the angular frequency ω
1x of the main vibration system, it forms a dynamic damper (dynamic vibration reducer).
It is, however, desirable to slightly increase the damping coefficient c
ax to the first additional mass body in comparison with the optimum design value of
the dynamic damper.
[0061] Then, the control force u(t)
x is applied so that the first additional mass body (mass m
a) is vibrated. In case of the above equation (1), the speed (d
x1/dt) of the structure is fed back, and the first additional mass body (mass m
a) can amplify the motion of a normal DD (dynamic damper), resulting in the increase
in vibration control effect.
[0062] The reaction force from the control force u(t)
x is treated by use of the inertial force from the second additional mass body (mass
m
bx = 1/10 m
a through 1/100 m
a).
[0063] The third term in the above equation (1) is available for providing a damping property
to the second additional mass body as well by use of the relationship of action and
reaction, and the vibration stabilization for the second additional mass body can
be attained.
[0064] Furthermore, the spring force (spring constant k
bx) absorbs the greater part of the force needed to control when the angular frequency
ω
bx of the second additional mass body is also synchronized with the angular frequency
ω
1x of the main vibration system by use of the principle of the ATMD described above,
and therefore, the necessary force for the control becomes further smaller.
[0065] Namely, a control force [u(t)
x], an inertial force [m
bx (d
xb/dt)²], and a spring force [k
bx (x
b - x
a)] act on the second additional mass body, and the following relation is given by:
(Control Force) + (Inertial Force) + (Spring Force) = 0
[0066] Therefore, the inertial force and the spring force cancel with each other, so that
the control force can be made smaller.